The Effects of Water Quality of Streams on the Water Quality of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay

2013 Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair

The abstract below was written by the student. The Northern Virginia
Soil and Water Conservation District made no editorial changes.

The Effects of Water Quality of Streams on the Water Quality of the
Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay

By: Cyrus Adams-Mardi and Tristan Keightley, West Potomac High
School

Abstract

The purpose of the experiment was to determine the indicator
capabilities of local streams for predicting the water qualities of the
Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. In order to determine this
property, a correlation between the three bodies of water must be found.
The hypothesis was that if the water conditions of the stream show any
changes from the neutral pH and ammonia concentration of zero, then the
water qualities in the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay will change
to reflect the same difference as observed in the stream; the changes in
water quality will be similar. The procedure was repeated in each of the
three locations. Before collecting any water data, recorded the
temperature and precipitation received over the course of the week (only
used to observe meteorological trends while collecting data.) Next, the
pH of the water using pH paper was determined and recorded. Then the
concentration of ammonia in the water was determined using an ammonia
aqua-comparator. The last two steps are repeated for the Potomac River
and the Chesapeake Bay and pre-determined constant locations. Repeat all
steps weekly for 5 to 7 weeks depending on weekly variation. The data
showed a strong correlation between the water qualities of all three
bodies of water, which confirmed the hypothesis. While the stream’s water
qualities showed much greater weekly fluctuation, this was expected
because they act as natural filtering systems in their tributaries. Based
on our findings, we can use the correlation to predict water qualities in
the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay during any meteorological
event.